OK, I got back from the John Friend Yoga Workshop on Sunday night and am just now feeling like I can move freely again. I was so sore. He even suggested we should take a couple of days off after the workshop. And, of course, I didn't listen as I told myself, not me...I'll be fine.

The class I took was an Advanced class. It was good for me, though. I got my butt kicked a little which hasn't happened to me in a long time. (in yoga class, anyway) So often, beginning yoga students will tell me how sore they are. Although I can empathize with them, it's been about 4 years since I really felt that intense soreness, like my whole body was opening up in ways it never had before, or hadn't in a really long time.

To be a beginner is a great thing...

Feeling sore in every muscle fiber of my body reminded me what it is like to be a beginner again. Here I have been wanting and practicing to be so advanced in Yoga all along, and as soon as I get to the point where I can particpate in an Advanced class, I get my butt gently kicked back to being a beginner again. Yes!

When we come into things as a beginner or with a beginners mind, we come in empty. Like children, we can be filled up with the fullness of life, each moment, when we allow ourselves to be free of our preconceived notions. We can bump our knees, and bruise our shins and enjoy the tumbling and stumbling of learning to walk, run, jump and play through life. I will share more on my experiences with both Krishna Das and John Friend, but for now, all of this reminds me of this quote about having an empty and childlike mind...

Pour me a cup of tea" the monk says "and I will tell you when to stop." The dutiful student starts pouring tea, and is horrified, watching as the tea spills out of the cup and over everything. "Can't you see the cup is full" he says. "It can hold no more."

"And so it is with you," the wise teacher answers. "Your mind is too full of too many things."

May our minds be free so we may be filled with the Fullness of Life.

Namaste!

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